MCA has been rocked by major developments.

The question now is: how will things unfold in the run-up to the party elections on Oct 18, and what is in store for a party scarred by perceptions of in-fighting and ugly power struggles.

On Thursday, Datin Paduka Dr Tan Kee Yew, a former central committee member and Wanita MCA number two, shook the party when she announced that she would resign and join Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) after having had "heartfelt" talks with its de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

On Friday, vice-president and Transport Minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat announced that he was going for the party's top post in October.

Party president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting has said he would not seek re-election.
Yesterday, Wanita MCA chief Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen threw her name into the ring, saying she was ready to contest any of the top three posts.

Tan is very popular in Klang, having been an MP there for three terms before being unceremoniously dumped in the last general election.

She also has an impressive academic background, which includes a degree from the University of Reading in the UK.

She cited in-fighting and loss of confidence in the leadership as reasons for quitting, and said many of her supporters would be joining her in the PKR.

So, just how much of a dent will her resignation make?

Not much, according to another party veteran and influential grassroots leader, Datuk Yap Pian Hon, a six-time former MP for Serdang.

"Factionalism is normal in any democratic party. Of course, Tan is a strong grassroots leader.

"But MCA has a solid national network with 59 years of history.

"I don't think a lot of leaders will follow her footsteps and leave for the opposition," said Yap, who is also a vocal critic of the present party leadership.

He said there was still hope for the party which had suffered tremendous blows in the elections and from allegations of a snoop squad.

Referring to Tee Keat's announcement to contest the presidency, made coincidentally at a function that he had helped to organise, Yap said Tee Keat could take the party out of its doldrums and into a new era.

"He can reorganise the party, give direction to the Chinese community and re-establish ourselves as a vital component party in Barisan Nasional."

It is an advantageous move for Tee Keat, considering that party deputy president Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy said he, too, would not be in the running in the party elections.

On top of that, Tee Keat is the most senior of the five party vice-presidents, with nationwide appeal after wisely not aligning himself with any of the MCA powerhouses since the Team A and Team B turmoil.

But with Dr Ng, who is also the Women, Family and Community Development Minister, hot on his heels in the race, the fight for party supremacy may not be a walkover for Tee Keat.

Dismissing the notion of cracks in the party, she has been churning out public relations statements like "bringing teamwork back into the party".

Known to be outspoken and frank, and at the same time being popular with both the Federal Government and the grassroots -- she visits her constituency of Raub every weekend -- one cannot deny that she is a force to be reckoned with.

She can count on the support of 430,000 Wanita members, whom she has led since 1999.

They make up nearly 40 per cent of the party's membership.

Challenges for the party presidency may also come from former vice-presidents Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek and Datuk Chua Jui Meng.

Whatever the outcome, the MCA has been badly beaten down and it can only go back up.